Dyson pips Jyoti Randhawa to win Volvo China Open

SHANGHAI, May 21: England’s Simon Dyson pipped India’s Jyoti Randhawa as........morei

I S Bindra

Bindra’s reply on CBI questionnaire today

NEW DELHI, May 21: Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president...more

Shane Warne

Warne’s work in vain

LONDON, May 21: Shane Warne’s first five-wicket haul in the County Championship...more

Nazir, Wasim lift Pak with unbroken century stand

BRIDGETOWN, May 21: Teenager Imran Nazir hit an unbeaten...more

Semis line-up drawn in day-night cricket cup

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, May 21: The semi-finals position has been cleared in the ongoing Ist-sher-e-Kashmir......more

J&K Karatekas participating in International Champ

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, May 21: The five-member team of Jammu and Kashmir Karate-Do Sports Association is taking..........more.

Roller Skating Association of J&K clarifies

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, May 21: The Roller Skating Association of Jammu and Kashmir has clarified that the Roller Skating Federation of India...more

State Karate champ concludes

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, May 21: JAMMU, May 21: The two-day Jammu and Kashmir Karate-Do Championship organised by the....more

Bhalaul Golf Club wins Trikuta Cup Golf tournament

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 21: The Bhalaul Golf Club with an aggregate score of 1171 points emerged the.....more

 
Major General H S Kanwar, AVSM, VSM Chief of Staff Nagrota Corps,
giving away the Trikuta Golf Club to the winners of Bhalaul on Sunday.

Dyson pips Jyoti Randhawa to win Volvo China Open

SHANGHAI, May 21: England’s Simon Dyson pipped India’s Jyoti Randhawa as he sank a nerve-jangling eight footer for par at the last to lift the 400,000 dollar Volvo China Open by one stroke today and became only the third man to secure two consecutive wins on the Davidoff tour.

The 22-year-old Dyson, who won the Macau Open last week for his maiden professional victory, provideda miraculous and dramatic finish by saving par at the 18th par five hole at Shanghai Silport Golf Club despite a penalty stroke after landing in the water hazard with a wayward drive.

With his hands trembling as he faced a testing putt for victory and the 72,000 dollar winner’s cheque, Dyson courageously rolled in the last shot of the tournament to pip India’s Jyoti Randhawa for the title.

The Yorkshireman finished the day on one-under-par 71 for a tournament total of 13-under-par 275 while Randhawa, the Indian Open winner, settled for second place after a gallant charge with a superb bogey-free 67 in the final round for his 276 aggregate.

Dyson said: "I can’t believe it. It’s a good feeling and I can put it to words. They say the first is special but this one feels so great because the Volvo China Open is a big evenbt in Asia. It’s just fantastic to win two-in-a-row. That last putt for victory is the most pressure-packed one that I’ve had to face in my career. When I was cleaning the ball, my hands were trembling. I told myself to keep the stroke smooth and not to leave it at the jaw because that would have been devastating. I’m glad it rolled in. When I called home to relay the news, mymum just burst into tears."

Taking a three shot lead into the final day, Dyson, who played in the victorious Walker Cup team for great Britain and Ireland last year before joining the paid ranks, got into full flight with a birdie at the first hole. He bogeyed the sixth by landing int he water hazard but bounced back superbly with three birdies on the trot for an outward 33.

But it soon became a roller-coaster ride, with three bogeys, and a birdie in his next six holes.

Randhawa, playing three flights ahead, turned on the pressure with a front nine 32 and finished the tournament on 12-under-par, just one behind Dyson who was then at the 17th. The Englishman missed the 17th par three green but made a crucial up-and-down to hang on to his one-shot advantage.

More drama came when he blocked his tee shot into the water at the last but he recovered brilliantly with his best shot of the tournament by firing a five wood from 246 yards out that landed onthe fringe behind the pin.

Dyson left his fourth short of the flag but sealed a historic triumph with the nervy putt.

"I haven’t been hitting the five wood and great this week and I knew it owed me one. Considering the pressure and situation then, it was my best shot this week," said Dyson.

Randhawa, who pocketted 520 dollars said "I had birdie chances at the 15th, 16th and 18th but I’ll take second anytime. It could have happened for me today but it didn’t."

Volvo also announced that the event would return to Shanghai Silport for a third successive year in 2001. (UNI)

Bindra’s reply on CBI questionnaire today

NEW DELHI, May 21: Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president I S Bindra will tomorrow send his point-wise response to the questions posed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on his 360-page report about match-fixing, betting and other malpractices facing the game in the country.

The CBI, after going through the detailed document submitted by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president, had sent him a written questionnaire earlier this week seeking certain clarifications on the points raised in it.

The ex-BCCI functionary told that he was preparing the reply to the questionnaire and would be sending it by tomorrow. "I am preparing the response and would be sending it by monday."

The premier investigating agency, in its questionnaire, had sought clarifications about the data annexed by Bindra with his report, according to CBI sources.

The questionnaire also posed several other queries, but its content has widely remained unknown as both the CBI or Bindra have remained tightlipped over it.

Bindra’s examination was also dependent upon his response to the questionnaire. The agency had indicated that he could be examined, if needed, after it receives a reply from him.

Bindra had, on May 15, appeared before the CBI on his own and submitted the report after a 70-minute meeting with the investigating team, led by joint director R N Sawani. In his report, he is understood to have raised issues of TV rights of cricket matches since 1996 and about the alleged illegalities in matches played in Sharjah, Singapore and Toronto.

The CBI is probing the involvement of present and past cricketers, administrators and officials against whom charges of match-fixing, betting or indulging in any other malpractices have been levelled. The probe was handed over to the CBI by the Government on April 29 and the inquiry was initiated on May two.

The agency has so far questioned four people, including former India manager Sunil Dev. The names of the other three have not been disclosed by the CBI. Former all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar’s questionining was also on the cards in the coming days.

About the report, Bindra hinted that it generally dealt with the incidence of ‘special favour given to TV companies while selling coverage rights and mushrooming of ‘masala’ (exhibition) and ‘thaila’ (money raising) matches in the off shore countries, which have been the cause of dedradation of cricket in the country.

He has so far held two meetings with the investigating team of the CBI on May 15 and May 16. Though the first meeting was of over one hour and related to the submission of his report, the duration and agenda of the second meeting yet remains a mystery.

During his interactions with the media, Bindra had time and again claimed that almost all international matches today were fixed in one manner or the other and all players, officials and administrators were linked to the malpractices.

The former BCCI chief has been on the front pages for the past couple of months due to his allegations of malpractices against officials, players and administrators. However, he stunned the nation recently when he claimed that Manoj Prabhakar had confided in him that Indian coach Kapil Dev was the senior player who had offered him bribe to perform below potential during a Singer Cup match in Sri Lanka in 1994.

Prabhakar, however, has so far refrained from taking any name saying that whatever information he has would be passed on to the CBI, whenever it contacted him.

The allegations of the former India all rounder had forced the BCCI to institute the Justice Y V Chandrachud Committee on match-fixing. But the committee cleared all players and cricket officials of the charges.

The present phase of allegations on match-fixing and betting in international cricket was kicked off in the first week of April after the sensational disclosure by the Delhi police that the now sacked South African captain Hansie Cronje and three of his teammates were part of the group which allegedly rigged the Pepsi one-day series against India in March.

Delhi police is inquiring the FIR no. 111/2000 against Hansie Cronje, three of his teammates — Herschelle Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Pieter Strydom — and two alleged bookies Sanjay Chawla, the absconding prime accused in the case, and Rajesh Kalra, who is under judicial custody. Music baron Kishen Kumar has also been charged for his involvement in the case. (UNI)

Warne’s work in vain

LONDON, May 21: Shane Warne’s first five-wicket haul in the County Championship failed to arrest Hampshire’s continuing struggle so far this season as their division one match with Leicestershire ended in a draw.

The Australian leg-spinner finished with five for 86 from 43 overs, as Leicestershire posted 289 all out at Grace road with Aftab Habib (66) and wicketkeeper Neil Burns (67 not out) doing most to give the hosts a 60-run first-innings lead in their division one clash.

Early relegation candidates Hampshire duly made a mess of batting out time in the match and in the end could only scramble to a draw that had long looked a formality.

They finally closed on 123 for eight, captain Robin Smith (31) providing the most resistance to the seam and swing of Phil Defreitas who finished with four for 41.

Australian Darren Lehmann’s first century of the season for Yorkshire levelled out the bonus points in a rain-induced draw between the table-toppers and Derbyshire.

Lehmann’s 209-ball ton contained 10 fours, and his 133 was the Cornerstone of Yorkshire’s 349 all out.

The Yorkshire batsman’s fellow Australian Matthew Cassar, meanwhile, picked up career-best figures of six for 76 with his medium-pace for Derbyshire.

There was also a first ever championship half-century for Derbyshire opener Steve Stubbings, who made the most of a dead game to reach an unbeaten 84 in company with Tasmanian Michael Di Venuto (81 not out) as the second-wicket pair put on an unbroken stand of 153 out of 209 for one.

In division two, Essex captain Ronnie Irani was taking no chances against Warwickshire at Edgbaston - and he almost ended up with a century to his name in yet another match ruined by this week’s rain.

Replying to Warwickshire’s 400 for eight declared, Irani was stranded nine runs short of his ton but remained unbeaten as the rains returned yet again to force an early close, while his team were stuck on 298-4, just shy of a third batting bonus point despite 83 to the cause from Aussie Stuart Law.

Nottinghamshire and Gloucestershire were also in no mood for any last-day excitement at Trent Bridge and allowed another rain-affected match to Peter out into a tame draw.

Visiting captain Mark Alleyne’s marathon innings finally ended on 126, as Gloucestershire totalled 290 to chalk up a 75-run first-innings lead while Notts’ England a all-rounder Paul Franks picked up four for 43.

Alleyne’s opposite number Jason Gallian and Guy Welton -who both made 42 - then ensured Nottinghamshire overcome the early loss of Darren Bicknell to reach the safety of 207-8, despite four wickets for Gloucestershire’s seamer Ian Harvey.

At hove Vikram Solanki’s 98 for Worcestershire helped them to 311 for eight declared against Sussex. The hosts then struggled to 114 for seven in their second innings, Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath taking two for 22. (AFP)

Nazir, Wasim lift Pak with unbroken century stand

BRIDGETOWN, May 21: Teenager Imran Nazir hit an unbeaten 94 and Mohammad Wasim collected a half century as Pakistan rallied against the West Indies from a first-innings deficit of 145.

By the close of the third day yesterday, of the teams’ second test, the tourists were 152 without loss, an overall lead of seven runs with two days remaining.

Earlier in the day, the West Indies stretched its overnight 253 for five to 398 all out, led by 19-year-old Ramnaresh Sarwan’s undefeated 84 in his debut test. Off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was the best of the bowlers with five for 121 off 51 overs.

But the West Indies’ advantage was wiped away in an extended final session as both young Pakistanis made full use of a favourable batting surface.

Nazir, in only his second test, was the most enterprising lashing his first ball to the cover boundary and hitting 14 fours all told to all parts of the ground. He faced 123 balls in just under three hours.

The 22-year-old Wasim was more circumspect and struck just five fours off 119 deliveries in reaching 53 not out.

In the 40 overs in the Pakistan innings, West Indies captain used six bowlers but none managed to cause any alarm against the confident pair.

Nazir, 18, may become the third youngest batsman to notch a test century today.

The day started more promisingly for the West Indies, with Sarwan and nightwatchman Curtly Ambrose extending their sixth-wicket partnership to 39 before Ambrose fell for 22. Wasim Akram had the slender left-hander caught low at second slip by Younis Khan.

Wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs was removed shortly thereafter by Mushtaq, bowled off the inside edge as he tried to hit the off-spinner over the leg side field. Jacobs hit one four in scoring 10.

One run later, Akram’s bouncer accounted for left-hander Nixon McLean, who fended to short leg.

But Sarwan remained defiant and the Guyanese brought up his half century 10 minutes before lunch by pushing his 137th delivery to mid-on for a single.

After the break Sarwan found useful allies in fast bowlers Reon King and Courtney Walsh, the trio adding 59 runs for the last two wickets.

King contributed just two but hung around for 55 minutes before Mushtaq had him caught at gully at the second attempt by Mushtaq Ahmed.

Walsh was more aggressive, swatting two fours and two sixes, one lash off Mushtaq reaching the top deck of the hall and Griffit stand at long on. The 37-year-old Walsh’s 22 off 31 balls was his third highest test score in his 116th test match.

He eventually edged to wicketkeeper Moin Khan to provide Mushtaq with his 10th five-wicket haul in his 27th test.

Sarwan was left 16 short of a century on debut after batting 320 minutes, facing 232 balls and stroking eight boundaries.

Akram took two for 84 off 33 quality overs while new ball partner Waqar Younis captured two for 72 off 17 overs. (AP)

Semis line-up drawn in day-night cricket cup

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, May 21: The semi-finals position has been cleared in the ongoing Ist-sher-e-Kashmir day-night Cricket Tournament being organised by the Sher-e-Kashmir Club at Green Fields ground, here.

Those who have qualified for the semi-finals are Vishal Cricket Club, Young Muslims Club, Kulbhushan Handa Cricket Club and Rubal Cricket Club.

While, the two clubs had already sailed into the last four stage, the Vishal Cricket Club and Rubal Cricket Club have reached the semis stage beating their rivals in the quarter-finals which played yester night.

In the first match, Vishal Club defeated rival Sainik Colony Cricket Club by five wickets.

Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, Sainik Colony Club set a target of 138 in the allotted 20 overs losing four wickets. Prince played a brilliant inning of 66 runs facing 61 balls with eight boundaries and one six, while Inderjeet and Satyajeet contributed 23 and 22 runs respectively.

For Vishal, David and Rajesh took one wicket each.

In reply, Vishal Club played confidently and chased the target in 18.4 overs for the loss of five wickets. Vivek Sharma remained unbeaten at 41 off 29 balls hitting four boundaries and two sixes. Ajay Bhatti too played well and contributed 25 runs before he was caught. Other main scorers were Dheeraj and Satwant, who added 18 and 12 runs to the total.

From Sainik Colony, Rajesh and Inderjeet shared two wickets each, while Satyajeet took one.

Vivek was declared as man of the match for his unbeaten inning.

While, in the replayed quarter-final between Rubal Cricket Club outplayed Aman Cricket Club by 49 runs to reach the semi-finals position.

After winning the toss and batting first, Rubal scored 199 runs for the loss five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Rajat, who gave a brilliant start to the Rubal innings, made 78 runs in only 45 balls hitting 14 boundaries and one six. He got good support from Shashi Sharma, who played equally well and contributed 67 runs in 44 balls including 10 fours.

Kewal (two) and Raj Kumar (1) were the wicket takers from Aman Club.

Batting second, Aman Club played slow innings amidst losing wickets at regular intervals. They could score 150 runs when all their wickets fell in 19 overs, besides bad bowling by Rubal.

However, extras contributed maximum of 47 runs to bring the score to a face saving total. Jatinder and Vinay contributed 25 and 33 runs respectively.

From Rubal Club, Samir bagged four wickets for 29 in four overs spell, while Shashi and Ashok shared two and one wicket respectively.

Rajat was declared as man of the match for his superb batting.